For a short time we lived quietly. But this could not last. White men had found gold in the mountains around the land of winding water.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.

War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.

Good words will not give me back my children.

Good words will not give me back my children.

I know that my race must change.

I know that my race must change.

I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of...

I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of...

My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man.

My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man.

All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.

All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.

I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.

I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.

I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.

I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.

We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the...

We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the...

When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.

When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.

If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live...

If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live...

I will speak with a straight tongue.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

We soon found that the white men were growing rich very fast, and were greedy.

We soon found that the white men were growing rich very fast, and were greedy.

We gave up some of our country to the white men, thinking that then we...

We gave up some of our country to the white men, thinking that then we...

The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights...

The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights...

A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal.

A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal.

I only ask of the government to be treated as all other men are treated.

I only ask of the government to be treated as all other men are treated.

A chief called Lawyer, because he was a great talker, took the lead in the...

A chief called Lawyer, because he was a great talker, took the lead in the...

Words do not pay for my dead people.

Words do not pay for my dead people.

My people were divided about surrendering.

My people were divided about surrendering.